Dearborn Man Planned Massacre for One of Detroit's Biggest Churches

Abu-Rayyan, 21, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan was caught planning an attack on a Detroit church with 6,000 members on behalf of the Islamic State--this is according to a federal criminal complaint.

He was found with pot and a pistol when he was pulled over for speeding by Detroit police on October 7. The FBI has since shared it has been investigating him since May of 2015, “regarding increasingly violent threats he has made to others about committing acts of terror and martydom – including brutal acts against police officers, churchgoers and others – on behalf of the foreign terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraqi and Levant.”

In addition, federal agents have been monitoring Abu-Rayyan's phone conversations and social media accounts where he conveyed support for ISIS. He even posted their videos, “videos of a Jordanian pilot burned alive, Christians being beheaded, and men being thrown from buildings in executions.”

Abu-Rayyan spoke with an undercover FBI operative where he “repeatedly expressed his desire to commit a martyrdom operation.” He also talked about wanting to kill the officer who arrested him for speeding by shooting up the hospital where the officer was recuperating from a heart attack. He then discussed the planning of a gun massacre at a 6,000-member church, one of the "biggest ones in Detroit."

He said he had enough ammunition and was ready to strike, but his father found his gun, bullets and mask. He told the FBI the church was an easy target because, “It’s easy and a lot of people go there. Plus people are not allowed to carry guns in church. Plus, it would make the news. Everyone would’ve heard.”